There is nothing cuter than newborn kittens. In fact, the whole feline birth process is amazing. Here at The Cat Vet, one of the best vet clinics in Dubai and in Al Barsha, we take pride in providing you with all the information you need to understand and care for your cat. Today, we are going to explore how mothers hold their newborns. Immediately after birth, mother cats (often referred to as queens) seek out welcoming and peaceful spaces to give birth to their young. If your cat is pregnant, you can help her create this area by providing a towel-lined box in a quiet, dark room. As soon as the kittens are born, the mother licks them to remove the amniotic sacs around their face and body. It will also take a few moments to chew the umbilical cords and eat the placentas. This is completely normal behaviour.
Felines prefer privacy when giving birth. Your cat knows what to do. However, you must know when and how to help if the mother can’t care for her kids. You must ensure removing the amniotic sac if the mother is unable to do it on her own. You can gently break it open with a towel. Count the placentas to make sure there is one for each kitten. If you don’t see all the placentas, one of them may have been retained in the womb, and your cat may need medical attention.
The First Weeks
Kittens can’t see or hear very well when they are born. They must use their instincts to find the nipples of the nursing mother. Luckily, they can smell the milk. They also have a suckling reflex when they feel a nipple tickling their fur. If one of her offspring is having trouble finding the nipple, the mother cat usually pulls the baby towards her. Newborns typically nurse within the first hour or two after birth and should eat within the first 24 hours. If there are more kittens than teats, you may need to swap some kittens yourself so that everyone gets a turn. For the first few days, it will seem like the queen is cleaning her pups frequently. Licking the abdomen and anus encourages children to eliminate waste. Mommy can clean it herself, but you must be vigilant about removing dirty towels from the nesting area and replacing them with new ones. Once kittens are free to move around, they don’t need help urinating or defecating. If you’re raising newborns without the queen, it’s your job to stimulate the animals’ digestion with a warm, damp towel and mimic the motherly licking.
Leaving The Nest
After about three weeks, the kittens begin to explore their surroundings. At this point, the mother usually begins to socialise with the young cats. She will encourage them to walk and move. You may hear her making a strange sound as she calls out to those who have strayed too far. At four weeks, kittens should be stable on their feet. They will start playing, jumping and climbing in six weeks. During this time, the queen will show her pups how to use a litter box. The weaning process will also begin at around four weeks but can last until babies are 12 weeks old. If weaning is rushed, cats may grow up nursing inanimate objects, such as blankets. Kittens also benefit from watching their mother and littermates play with each other up to 12 weeks of age. Many experts recommend exposing kittens to human hands for 4-6 weeks. Stroke them gently and quietly, and hold them so they get used to your touch.
Taking Care Of A Cat Mother
Felines are self-sufficient in taking care of themselves after giving birth. The queen will clean up frequently. As a cat owner, you should monitor and ensure there aren’t any anomalous discharges or blood coming out of her vagina. She usually doesn’t start eating or drinking until about 24 hours after giving birth, and will be hesitant to leave the babies behind her. Place food, water and a litter box outside the baby’s area to make her feel safe and comfortable.
What If A Nursing Cat Looks Sick
Mastitis can develop in felines, which is an infection of the mammary glands. Infection in the uterus is also a common health issue. Whenever the mother or kittens seem sick or lethargic, bring them to us. If the queen neglects her kittens or refuses to eat, you may need to take action as well.
Maternal Aggression
Don’t worry if your sweet and cuddly kitty turns into a snarling tiger after birthing her cubs. Maternal aggression in cats is normal. Hormones cause most mammals to develop a protective instinct towards their young. If you try to interact with your pet or her litter without practising caution, you may get a loud hiss. Cats who feel their kittens aren’t safe may even kill them. Make sure you keep the animals in a sheltered environment with little traffic so the queen can do her job without dealing with feelings of aggression.
